The Linemakers

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The San Diego Chargers (3-1) and New Orleans Saints (0-4) meet Sunday at the Superdome (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). Here is point spread information and trends analysis from The Linemakers on Sporting News.

Weather: Dome

Line: Saints -3.5, Total: 54

Line movement: The Saints opened at -2.5 and were up to as high as -4 before settling at 3.5. The total hasn't moved.

Recent meetings:

— 10/26/08 Saints 37-32 (+3) at New Orleans

Series trends:

— The total has gone over six of the last seven meetings between the teams.

Chargers outlook: San Diego responded from its first loss of the season by rolling over the host Chiefs last week. The Chargers sit atop the AFC West with a 3-1 mark, as Philip Rivers passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. He also surpassed the 25,000-yard career passing mark, reaching the milestone in 3,144 attempts. He is the fifth-fastest to accomplish the feat in NFL history. San Diego’s thin secondary will be tested against the Saints. With only three healthy cornerbacks, the Chargers were scanning the waiver wire for help. RB Ryan Mathews led San Diego with 61 yards last week but didn’t start due to fumbling problems. Jackie Battle has played well in Mathews’ place.

Chargers trends:

— Chargers 6-2 ATS in their past eight as a road dog.

— Chargers are 6-0 ATS vs. a team with a losing record.

Chargers’ key injuries:

— DE Antonio Garay (knee) questionable

— K Nate Kaeding (groin) doubtful

— DB Shareece Wright (ankle) doubtful

Saints outlook: Brees has thrown a TD pass in his last 47 games, tying the all-time mark set by Johnny Unitas. New Orleans has lost all four games by single-digits, the latest by a point at Green Bay when Garrett Hartley missed a field goal in the final minute of play. Brees threw for 446 yards in the loss. He leads the NFL in passing and the Saints lead the league in passing offense but it’s a product of New Orleans playing from behind weekly.

Saints trends:

— Saints 7-1-1 ATS past nine games before bye week.

— Total has gone OVER in eight of New Orleans's last nine games.

Saints’ key injuries:

— DE Turk McBride (ankle) questionable

— LB Jonathan Casillas (neck) questionable

— LB David Hawthorne (hamstring) questionable

What The Linemakers are saying: The Saints should get into the win column this week against a Chargers squad we haven't been too impressed with. San Diego got smoked by the one quality opponent it played this season — the Falcons. Despite being 0-4, we still think the Saints are a quality team and an upgrade over the Chargers' three wins this season (Raiders, Titans and Chiefs).